Guess this Catt

[Orchidzrule]

Hi all,

I picked this up at my local OS annual auction just over a year ago and, although it has bloomed for me before, this is the first time where I figure I can claim the credit, since its former blooms had been induced by its previous owner.

Anyhow, since I've been so impressed with the ability of the members on this forum to guess what's this plant, I thought I'd play the game. If there are a lot of wrong guesses, I'll offer a clue or two, but for now, I don't want to make it too easy!

Cheers,

Rob

[Alplily NH]

I'm going to guess percevaliana?

[clintdawley]

Yep. I'd agree. The scent is a dead giveaway. Percivaliana smells spicy-musky and rather pheremonish to me. Some people say "stink bug" but that description might be a bit harsh.

[Lambert]

I agree, I have one as well and it's in buds and hopefully it will flower for me for the first time ....

[Orchidzrule]

Hi all,

Well, you're all very sharp. It is, indeed, Cattleya percivaliana. I had not noticed any smell at all, so will have to do some sniffing tomorrow, although based on Clint's description, maybe I shouldn't! Laurent, I hope you get to enjoy yours in bloom soon.

I confess I had no idea it was even about to bloom--I had not noticed anything emerging from the sheath. Then last weekend, I discovered it in bloom! I guess I am not observant! Actually, I was aware of two other Catts in spike, so maybe I can just call this one the stealth Catt!

Cheers,

Rob

[Ron-NY]

a stunning species. I think I need to add one to my collection.

[bench72]

That is very very nice... love the velvety look on the lip!

Clint, that is some good olfactory senses u have from texas to Canadia! or... hmm, hey did someone put on smell-o-vision and not tell me???

well done everyone, i would not have known this one... not enough pouch on the labellum

[Orchidzrule]

a stunning species. I think I need to add one to my collection.

What I really like about it are: 1) It's a reasonably small plant--the guy who sold it described it as "almost a Mini-Catt", which I'm not sure I agree with, but it is compact--with showy flowers; 2) the flower isn't overly floofy--the lip is almost Laelia like.

That is very very nice... love the velvety look on the lip!

Clint, that is some good olfactory senses u have from texas to Canadia! or... hmm, hey did someone put on smell-o-vision and not tell me???

well done everyone, i would not have known this one... not enough pouch on the labellum

ROTFLMAO! Tim, you often bring a smile to my face with your comments. I haven't really been growing Catts very long, but I have even less experience with Paphs. However, if the Paph. Dark Surprise I have in spike actually blooms (I never count chickens before they hatch!), I will post a photo of it, too.

Thanks for the nice comments, all.

Cheers,

Rob